Golf Fans Are Rightfully Crushing the Small (and Quiet) Crowds at U.S. Open

There’s a reason why the crowds are so tiny at LACC.

The 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club has already seen some pretty wild history happen but there has been one thing bugging fans watching the major championship on TV: the small and quiet crowds taking in the action on the historic grounds near Beverly Hills. 

There’s a reason why there aren’t huge crowds like we’ve grown used to seeing at the U.S. Open over the years. The USGA limited the number of tickets from the normal 45,000 available to just 22,000 this year due to logistical issues with the size of the course.

The first tee has been quiet because the historic clubhouse is just a few steps behind it. The scene on the 10th tee, which has been used as an opening hole during split-tee starts the first two rounds, has also lacked any type of atmosphere whatsoever:

Is there anyone attending the US Open this year? pic.twitter.com/YUaaqvizu3

— Andy Nesbitt (@anezbitt) June 16, 2023

I’ve heard club championship matches get louder first-tee applause than Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Hideki Matsuyama at the United States Open.

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 16, 2023

 Golf fans watching from home have not been impressed: 

What an AWFUL crowd & atmosphere so far at the US Open this week, before you tell me it’s a major with expensive tickets & it’s more corporate etc. remember the masters is much more exclusive & has arguably the best atmosphere in all of golf. pic.twitter.com/sUD7VEsLKf

— NMH (@nosmh_x) June 15, 2023

This US Open is so dead. The vibe is not there at all. LACC is dead to me. They are going to try everything they can to make the course play incredibly tough to save themselves. They have to create carnage for anything of note to happen https://t.co/JL5XRLQLqY

— Wild Thang (@ATWilder15) June 16, 2023

Felt like I was watching sports during the pandemic. Quiet crowd, empty areas where people should be.

Throw in the leaders destroying the course, the sunny scenic shots when it’s “June Gloom” weather in LA, and the fake acting we should care it’s by Rodeo Drive, felt off. https://t.co/NnJHNz2scS

— Ken Bud Sothman (@KenSothman) June 16, 2023

Worst US Open venue of all time https://t.co/g3hLrSNqVh

— Kyle (@king_tut00) June 16, 2023

This US open crowd seems as big and vocal as a LIV crowd. Merger already in effect.

— Jake (@Shake_Jaw) June 16, 2023

Low scores, no crowd, this US Open will still be fun as all majors are, but I am disappointed.

— Billy Wagner (@billywagner0) June 15, 2023

Better crowd at The Riv in February than the US Open. Pathetic pricing and operations from the USGA.

— NICK (@nickgrodo) June 16, 2023

Are we definitely sure that this isn’t just qualifying for the US Open and the actual tournament starts next week?

Surely this isn’t an actual major where the first tee starts with a crowd of about 5 people 😂@NoLayingUp any help with this?

— George Speakman (@GSpeakman92) June 16, 2023

Awful us open.. more so the lack of crowd than the scoring fest

— DarrylEnglish (@dareng82) June 15, 2023

That’s what happens when you play at such an exclusive club where the members of the club paid for the actual fans general admission tickets. Such a dumb place to host such a great championship. Is it #TheOpen yet?! #USOpen https://t.co/SIheQhiEQh

— Billey (@Cbills5233) June 16, 2023

Crowds/course have been awful

LA fans are the worst https://t.co/bpm8sqlZbv

— Eric Davidson (@ericdavidson5) June 16, 2023

Worst US Open venue of all time https://t.co/g3hLrSNqVh

— Kyle (@king_tut00) June 16, 2023